Some late breds

[Diamond Dave]

No worries Tony.
There are others more experienced on here that will answer those questions mate but being as you have asked me - I would ask the people that you are getting them from what they have been "weaned" on and try to get as close to those as possible. If you are getting them from 4 or 5 different sources, they are all likely to be different.
For instance I wean mine on maple peas. The parents are fed different but I always have a pot of peas in their boxes for them to pick at. When I see them picking up the peas themselves, I know that they can come away from thr parents and feed themselves without any stress. I do have a feed trough in the yb section but I still fill up a couple of pots as well so they are familiar
They stay on peas for another 3 or 4 weeks and I start introducing other grains when I start putting them through the traps.
I don't know if anyone has already said this but be vigilant in watching for the babies drinking. I like them to find the water for themselves (some ppl like to dip their beaks in the water) but be on the lookout for birds that are looking "sleepy" as it is a sign that they have not found the water. If you see any, just dip their beaks in the drinker and hold it there for a few seconds.
Good luck with them mate you must be getting excited now.

[Tony-P-]

No worries Tony.
There are others more experienced on here that will answer those questions mate but being as you have asked me - I would ask the people that you are getting them from what they have been "weaned" on and try to get as close to those as possible. If you are getting them from 4 or 5 different sources, they are all likely to be different.
For instance I wean mine on maple peas. The parents are fed different but I always have a pot of peas in their boxes for them to pick at. When I see them picking up the peas themselves, I know that they can come away from thr parents and feed themselves without any stress. I do have a feed trough in the yb section but I still fill up a couple of pots as well so they are familiar
They stay on peas for another 3 or 4 weeks and I start introducing other grains when I start putting them through the traps.
I don't know if anyone has already said this but be vigilant in watching for the babies drinking. I like them to find the water for themselves (some ppl like to dip their beaks in the water) but be on the lookout for birds that are looking "sleepy" as it is a sign that they have not found the water. If you see any, just dip their beaks in the drinker and hold it there for a few seconds.
Good luck with them mate you must be getting excited now.

Thanks for them tips, yes getting the birds from different people so I will ask the question on weaning hopefully there not to far apart with the feed. Thanks for the tip on the water to, and would this just be fresh water nothing in it ?
Yes really looking forward to getting the birds can't wait but I have to as I still have a few things to do in the shed / loft before I get the birds but I will get things sorted out before I get them

[Diamond Dave]

Like I said mate - I am no ace and there are others on here who will answer your questions better than me.
But I am more than happy to share what little I have experienced for myself.
Anyway, yes just clean fresh water.
So how long before you get these birds.....

[Tony-P-]

Like I said mate - I am no ace and there are others on here who will answer your questions better than me.
But I am more than happy to share what little I have experienced for myself.
Anyway, yes just clean fresh water.
So how long before you get these birds.....

about 4 weeks yet mate can't wait
Thanks for the tip on the water mate

[Andy]

Thanks Dave, I'll just be glad to get the late bred birds in next month, I know they will only be very young birds so it'll be me getting use to them and them getting use to me and the set up.
Can I just ask, on feed for young birds what would be the best to get in for them
do they stay on the same feed for a while
how much do I feed them and is it morning and night or just one feed a day
anything in the water or just fresh water
Thanks all

If I was in your position Tony with late breds that won’t be raced this year I would just give them a good all round mix. That will see them right through the winter. Nothing in the water.
I would feed twice a day. Certainly until the days get too short to be able to. This way you will be able to get them nice and calm and friendly.

[Murray]

Thanks for clearing that up Murray and I'm glad you said you don't bother looking at the wings no more as I wouldn't know what to look for so if you don't bother and from what you have said I don't need to bother. As you say it is the first bird on the landing board to clock in.
all the best Murray and I will have a look for that boot.
If you know of any other books out there that might help me out and worth a read let me know please.

Hi Tony,
I look at their wings when I am handling them, to see if they are progressing through the moult properly and that all is well. But I don't hang a tremendous amount of importance on the finest details of the shape of the wing. As Andy said, good ones sometimes are not the most perfect lookers.

[Murray]

Thanks Dave, I'll just be glad to get the late bred birds in next month, I know they will only be very young birds so it'll be me getting use to them and them getting use to me and the set up.
Can I just ask, on feed for young birds what would be the best to get in for them
do they stay on the same feed for a while
how much do I feed them and is it morning and night or just one feed a day
anything in the water or just fresh water
Thanks all

If I was in your position Tony with late breds that won’t be raced this year I would just give them a good all round mix. That will see them right through the winter. Nothing in the water.
I would feed twice a day. Certainly until the days get too short to be able to. This way you will be able to get them nice and calm and friendly.

I agree. Good advice.

[Murray]

Like I said mate - I am no ace and there are others on here who will answer your questions better than me.
But I am more than happy to share what little I have experienced for myself.
Anyway, yes just clean fresh water.
So how long before you get these birds.....

None of us are aces, Dave, and you do okay. You got them from across the channel in those tough races.
We are all just doing our best.

[Tony-P-]

Thanks Dave, I'll just be glad to get the late bred birds in next month, I know they will only be very young birds so it'll be me getting use to them and them getting use to me and the set up.
Can I just ask, on feed for young birds what would be the best to get in for them
do they stay on the same feed for a while
how much do I feed them and is it morning and night or just one feed a day
anything in the water or just fresh water
Thanks all

If I was in your position Tony with late breds that won’t be raced this year I would just give them a good all round mix. That will see them right through the winter. Nothing in the water.
I would feed twice a day. Certainly until the days get too short to be able to. This way you will be able to get them nice and calm and friendly.

Thanks Andy and roughly how much food per bird would you say in both sittings

[Tony-P-]

Thanks for clearing that up Murray and I'm glad you said you don't bother looking at the wings no more as I wouldn't know what to look for so if you don't bother and from what you have said I don't need to bother. As you say it is the first bird on the landing board to clock in.
all the best Murray and I will have a look for that boot.
If you know of any other books out there that might help me out and worth a read let me know please.

Hi Tony,
I look at their wings when I am handling them, to see if they are progressing through the moult properly and that all is well. But I don't hang a tremendous amount of importance on the finest details of the shape of the wing. As Andy said, good ones sometimes are not the most perfect lookers.

Thanks Murray for the support and advice mate very much appreciated